GRAY
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        FEBRUARY 17, 1998

                     GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES
                       SIGNING OF DEFINITIVE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                         TO ACQUIRE THREE TELEVISION STATIONS

     Gray Communications Systems, Inc. (NYSE: GCS and GCS.B) announced today 
that it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all of the 
outstanding capital stock of Busse Broadcasting Corporation.  The purchase 
price will be $112.0 million plus Busse's cash and cash equivalents less 
Busse's indebtedness including its 11-5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2000.  
Busse Broadcasting owns and operates three VHF television stations: KOLN-TV, 
the CBS affiliate operating on Channel 10 in the Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney, 
Nebraska television market, and its satellite station KGIN-TV, the CBS 
affiliate operating on Channel 11 serving Grand Island, Nebraska; and 
WEAU-TV, the NBC affiliate operating on Channel 13 serving the Eau Claire-La 
Crosse, Wisconsin market.  The purchase of Busse Broadcasting is subject to 
FCC approval; however, the parties expect to close on or before September 1, 
1998.

     KOLN-TV, KGIN-TV and WEAU-TV will complement Gray's existing group of 
television stations.  The markets served by these stations include one state 
capitol, Lincoln, Nebraska, and are mid-sized fast growing markets.  The 
stations add to Gray's presence in significant collegiate market areas 
including the University of Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin - Eau 
Claire.  The markets are fast growing with unemployment rates not exceeding 
3%.  The Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney market ranks as the 101st largest 
television market in the U.S. with a current population of 658,000 persons 
and 253,000 television households. The Eau Claire-La Crosse market ranks as 
the 129th largest television market with a current population of 490,000 
persons and 179,000 television households. The stations are the number one 
rated stations in their respective markets and are also the local news 
leaders.

     J. Mack Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gray 
Communications Systems, Inc. said, "We are pleased that the acquisition of 
Busse Broadcasting is progressing as planned.  These stations serve fast 
growing markets and will make great additions to our broadcasting family."

GRAY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. IS A COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LOCATED IN 
ALBANY, GEORGIA WHICH OPERATES THREE NBC-AFFILIATED TELEVISION STATIONS, FIVE 
CBS-AFFILIATED TELEVISION STATIONS, THREE DAILY NEWSPAPERS, TWO ADVERTISING 
WEEKLY SHOPPERS IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA AND NORTH FLORIDA; LYNQX COMMUNICATIONS, 
INC., A SATELLITE UPLINK AND PRODUCTION BUSINESS BASED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN 
UNITED STATES; AND PORTAPHONE PAGING, A COMMUNICATIONS AND PAGING BUSINESS IN 
THE SOUTHEAST.

For additional information, contact:
Bill Fielder                                 Jim Ryan
Vice President and                           Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer                      Busse Broadcasting Corporation
Gray Communications Systems, Inc.            (616) 388-8019
(912) 434-8732

          126 N. Washington Street, P.O. Box 48, Albany, Georgia 31702-0048
                        (912) 888-9390     Fax (912) 888-9374